Lithium storage technologies refer to the various methods and systems used to store electrical energy efficiently using lithium-based materials. These technologies are essential for a wide range of applications, including portable electronics, electric vehicles, renewable energy systems, and grid-scale energy storage.
The lithium-ion battery’s success paved the way for further advancements in energy storage and spurred the growth of industries like electric vehicles (EVs) and renewable energy storage systems (Olis et al., 2023; Wang et al., 2023).
Additionally, traditional lithium mining, especially open-pit mining and salar (salt flat) exploitation, can cause habitat disruption and destruction. These activities may displace wildlife, disrupt local ecosystems, and alter water flows, affecting both terrestrial and aquatic environments. 6.1. Mitigating environmental impacts
As lithium continues to play a central role in the global transition to clean energy and electrification, the imperative of sustainable extraction practices cannot be overstated. The review underscores that the ecological and social impacts of lithium extraction are profound and far-reaching.
Production costs are closely tied to the economics of lithium extraction, with significant variations depending on the extraction method and location. Lower-cost producers can gain a competitive edge in the market. Technological advancements also impact economic viability.
Lithium extraction, despite its vital role in renewable energy and electric vehicle industries, poses notable environmental challenges. One major concern is the substantial water consumption associated with lithium extraction, particularly in lithium brine production (Wagner-Wenz et al., 2023).